Scholz Seeks Confidence Vote Monday to Pave Way for February 23 Elections

Dec 11, 2024, 01:36 PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has formally submitted a request to Bundestag President Bärbel Bas for a vote of confidence, aiming to initiate early parliamentary elections on February 23. The motion was filed on Wednesday, December 11, with the confidence vote expected to take place on Monday, December 16, following a mandatory 48-hour consideration period. Scholz is expected to lose the vote, which would set the stage for new elections. This marks the sixth instance of a German Chancellor posing the confidence question to parliament, a mechanism rarely employed to address political instability. The Greens' parliamentary leader, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, indicated their intention to pave the way for new elections without voting against the government, emphasizing the need for stability and clarity on issues such as rent control and increased child benefits.